Social Demographic Factors Associated with Adherence to Treatment Among Urban and Rural Tuberculosis Patients in Kenya.

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis is a Global Public Health concern with serious Economic and Social Burden to the Patient and the Household. Because of the long duration of Standard Treatment there is a Risk of Treatment Default by Patients. The Objective of the Study was to determine the Social Demographic Factors Associated with Adherence to Treatment among the Urban and Rural Tuberculosis Patients in Kenya. The Cross Sectional Study Design was adopted. The Study applied the Multi-Stage Sampling Technique. Random Sampling Method was used to select the TB Clinics that Participated in the Study. Simple Random Sampling according to Probability Proportionate to TB Patient’s Population was preferred to select the Study Participants. Chi-Square Test determined Association between the various Social Demographic factors and the Adherence to treatment while ANOVA Test demonstrated the overall Association of Social Demographic factors and Adherence to TB Treatment. Statistical Significance was evaluated at p<0.05. Descriptive Statistics summarized and described the data. The Study established that Demographic Factors were Associated with adherence to TB treatment. Specifically, Gender, Level of Education, Place of Residence were found to be Significant (P<0.05). Age, Marital Status, Primary Occupation and Household Head were not Significantly Associated with adherence to TB treatment (p>0.05). These Findings will persuade the TB Management Policy towards developing Intervention Programs directed at the Social-Demographic Characteristics of the TB patient for improved Treatment Outcomes.